Outboard Motor Steering Assembly

ABSTRACT

An outboard motor steering assembly for steering a tiller outboard motor includes a control stick that is movably mounted in a boat. The control stick extends forwardly from a seat in the boat. In this way the control stick is accessible to a driver of the boat. The control stick is positionable in a left position, a right position or a center position. A plurality of pulleys is each rotatably coupled to the boat. A pair of cables is each coupled between the control stick and the outboard motor. Each of the cables urges the outboard motor to turn to the right when the control stick is positioned in the left position for steering the boat to the port side. Additionally, each of the cables urges the outboard motor to turn to the left when the control stick is positioned in the right position for steering the boat to the starboard side.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR ASA TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to steering devices and more particularlypertains to a new steering device for steering a tiller outboard motor.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to steering devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above bygenerally comprising a control stick that is movably mounted in a boat.The control stick extends forwardly from a seat in the boat. In this waythe control stick is accessible to a driver of the boat. The controlstick is positionable in a left position, a right position or a centerposition. A plurality of pulleys is each rotatably coupled to the boat.A pair of cables is each coupled between the control stick and theoutboard motor. Each of the cables urges the outboard motor to turn tothe right when the control stick is positioned in the left position forsteering the boat to the port side. Additionally, each of the cablesurges the outboard motor to turn to the left when the control stick ispositioned in the right position for steering the boat to the starboardside.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the disclosure in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There areadditional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features ofnovelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than thoseset forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an outboard motor steering assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing acontrol stick in a left position.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing acontrol stick in a right position.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of control stick of an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a control stick of an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a left side view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing alock of a control stick in an open position.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing acontrol stick being moved between a left position, a right position anda center position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through7 thereof, a new steering device embodying the principles and conceptsof an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by thereference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, the outboard motor steeringassembly 10 generally comprises a control stick 12 that is movablymounted in a boat 14. The control stick 12 extends forwardly from a seat16 in the boat 14. In this way the control stick 12 is accessible to adriver of the boat 14. The control stick 12 is positionable in a leftposition, a right position or a center position. The boat 14 may be anyboat with a tiller steer outboard motor.

The control stick 12 comprises a pair of bearings 18 that are eachcoupled to a bottom surface 20 of the seat 16 in the boat 14. Thebearings 18 are aligned with each other and are distributed along a lineextending between a front side 22 of the seat 16 and a back side 24 ofthe seat 16. The control stick 12 includes a first rod 26 that has afirst end 28 and a second end 30. The first rod 26 extends through eachof the bearings 18 such that the first rod 26 is rotatable about an axisextending through the first end 28 and the second end 30. Additionally,the first end 28 is positioned forwardly from the front side 22 of theseat 16 and the second end 30 is positioned rearwardly from the backside 24 of the seat 16.

The control stick 12 includes a lock 32 that has a first portion 34which is hingedly coupled to a second portion 36. The first portion 34is coupled to the first end 28 of the first rod 26. In this way the lock32 is accessible to the driver of the boat 14 when the driver sits inthe seat 16. The lock 32 is positionable in a closed position having thefirst portion 34 abutting the second portion 36. The lock 32 ispositionable in an open position has the second portion 36 anglingdownwardly from the first portion 34. The lock 32 may include a lever 38that is movably coupled to the second portion 36 which engages the firstportion 34 for retaining the lock 32 in the closed position. The lever38 may be manipulated to facilitate the lock 32 to be positioned in theopen position.

The control stick 12 includes a second rod 40 that has a primary end 42and a secondary end 44. The secondary end 44 is coupled to the secondportion 36 of the lock 32. The second rod 40 has a bend 46 that ispositioned closer to the secondary end 44 than the primary end 42 todefine a first section 48 of the second rod 40 and a second section 50of the second rod 40. The first section 48 is directed upwardly when thelock 32 is in the closed position. In this way the first section 48 canbe gripped by the driver when the driver sits in the seat 16. Moreover,the first rod 26 is rotated about the axis when the first section 48 istilted to the left or to the right. The first section 48 lies on a floorof the boat 14 when the lock 32 is positioned in the open position. Inthis way the first section 48 does not inhibit movement of the driverwhen the driver sits in the seat 16.

The control stick 12 includes a grip 52 that is coupled to the secondrod 40. The grip 52 is positioned adjacent to the primary end 42 of thesecond rod 40 such that the grip 52 can be gripped by the driver. Thegrip 52 may have a front surface 54 and the front surface 54 may have aplurality of depressions 56 therein. The depressions 56 may be spacedapart from each other to accommodate fingers of the driver when thedriver grips the grip.

The control stick 12 includes a third rod 58 that has a lower end 60 andan upper end 62. The lower end 60 is coupled to the first rod 26 at apoint that is positioned adjacent to the second end 30 of the first rod26. The third rod 58 is oriented to extend along a line which isoriented perpendicular to the axis of the first rod 26. Moreover, thethird rod 58 extends upwardly behind the seat 16. A coupling 64 iscoupled to the third rod 58 and the coupling 64 is positioned adjacentto the upper end 62 of the third rod 58.

A plurality of pulleys 66 is provided and each of the pulleys 66 isrotatably coupled to the boat 14. Each of the pulleys 66 is positionedon a gunnel 68 of the boat 14 and each of the pulleys 66 is positionedbetween the seat 16 and an outboard motor 70 on the boat 14. Theplurality of pulleys 66 includes a set of first pulleys 72 and a set ofsecond pulleys 74. Each of the first pulleys 72 is positioned on theport side of the gunnel 68. Each of the second pulleys 74 is positionedon the starboard side of the gunnel 68. Moreover, each of the firstpulleys 72 and the second pulleys 74 are spaced apart from each otherand are distributed from a transom of the boat 14 toward a bow of theboat 14. In this way each of the first pulleys 72 and the second pulleys74 defines a respective one of four corners of a rectangle.

A pair of cables 76 is provided and each of the cables 76 is coupledbetween the control stick 12 and the outboard motor 70. Each of thecables 76 urges the outboard motor 70 to turn to the right when thecontrol stick 12 is positioned in the left position. In this way theboat 14 can be steered to the port side. Each of the cables 76 urges theoutboard motor 70 to turn to the left when the control stick 12 ispositioned in the right position. In this way the boat 14 can be steeredto the starboard side.

The pair of cables 76 includes a first cable 78 and a second cable 80.The first cable 78 is coupled between the coupling 64 on the third rod58 and a left side of the outboard motor 70. Additionally, the firstcable 78 is routed through each of the first pulleys 72. The secondcable 80 is coupled between the coupling 64 on the third rod 58 and aright side of the outboard motor 70. Additionally, the second cable 80is routed through each of the second pulleys 74.

In use, the lock 32 is positioned in the closed position to facilitatethe driver to steer the boat 14. In this way the driver can remainfacing forward in the seat 16 while steering the tiller outboard motor70. Thus, the driver can operate the boat 14 with enhanced visibilityand safety as compared to sitting side-saddle for steering the tilleroutboard motor 70 in the conventional manner. The second rod 40 isgripped and the second rod 40 is tilted to the left for steering theboat 14 to the port side. The second rod 40 is gripped and the secondrod 40 is tilted to the right for steering the boat 14 to the starboardside. In this way the boat 14 can be steered in the convention of usinga joystick or the like.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodimentenabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials,shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, aredeemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by anembodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of thedisclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used inits non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word areincluded, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. Areference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not excludethe possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless thecontext clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

1. (canceled)
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. An outboard motor steeringassembly being configured to steer an outboard motor boat facilitating auser to face forwardly while steering, said outboard motor steeringassembly comprising: a control stick being movably mounted in a boat,said control stick extending forwardly from a seat in the boat whereinsaid control stick is configured to be accessible to a driver of theboat, said control stick being positionable in a left position, a rightposition or a center position, said control stick comprising a pair ofbearings, each of said bearings being coupled to a bottom surface of theseat in the boat, said bearings being aligned with each other and beingdistributed along a line extending between a front side of the seat anda back side of the seat, and a first rod having a first end and a secondend, said first rod extending through each of said bearings such thatsaid first rod is rotatable about an axis extending through said firstend and said second end; a plurality of pulleys, each of said pulleysbeing rotatably coupled to the boat; and a pair of cables, each of saidcables being coupled between said control stick and an outboard motor,each of said cables urging the outboard motor to turn right when saidcontrol stick is positioned in a left position for steering the boat toa port side, each of said cables urging the outboard motor to turn leftwhen said control stick is positioned in a right position for steeringthe boat to a starboard side; and wherein said control stick includes alock having a first portion being hingedly coupled to a second portion,said first portion being coupled to said first end of said first rodwherein said lock is configured to be accessible to the driver of theboat when the driver sits in the seat, said lock being positionable in aclosed position having said first portion abutting said second portion,said lock being positionable in an open position having said secondportion angled to extend downwardly from said first portion.
 5. Theoutboard motor steering assembly according to claim 4, wherein saidcontrol stick includes a second rod having a primary end and a secondaryend, said secondary end being coupled to said second portion of saidlock, said second rod having a bend being positioned closer to saidsecondary end than said primary end to define a first section of saidsecond rod and a second section of said second rod.
 6. The outboardmotor steering assembly according to claim 5, wherein said first sectionis directed upwardly when said lock is in said closed position whereinsaid first section is configured to be gripped by the driver when thedriver sits in the seat, said first rod being rotated about said axiswhen said first section is tilted to the left or to the right.
 7. Theoutboard motor steering assembly according to claim 6, wherein saidfirst section lies on a floor of the boat when said lock is positionedin said open position wherein said first section is configured to notinhibit movement of the driver when the driver sits in the seat.
 8. Theoutboard motor steering assembly according to claim 5, wherein saidcontrol stick includes a grip being coupled to said second rod, saidgrip being positioned adjacent to said primary end of said second rodwherein said grip is configured to be gripped by the driver.
 9. Theoutboard motor steering assembly according to claim 5, wherein saidcontrol stick includes a third rod having a lower end and an upper end,said lower end being coupled to said first rod at a point beingpositioned adjacent to said second end of said first rod, said third rodbeing oriented to extend along a line being oriented perpendicular tosaid axis of said first rod having said third rod extending upwardlybehind the seat.
 10. The outboard motor steering assembly according toclaim 9, wherein said control stick includes a coupling being coupled tosaid third rod, said coupling being positioned adjacent to said upperend of said third rod.
 11. The outboard motor steering assemblyaccording to claim 10, wherein each of said pulleys is positioned on agunnel of the boat, each of said pulleys being positioned between theseat and an outboard motor on the boat, said plurality of pulleysincluding a set of first pulleys and a set of second pulleys, each ofsaid first pulleys being positioned on the port side of the gunnel, eachof said second pulleys being positioned on the starboard side of thegunnel.
 12. The outboard motor steering assembly according to claim 11,wherein: said pair of cables includes a first cable and a second cable;said first cable is coupled between said coupling on said third rod anda left side of the outboard motor, said first cable being routed througheach of said first pulleys; and said second cable is coupled betweensaid coupling on said third rod and a right side of the outboard motor,said second cable being routed through each of said second pulleys. 13.An outboard motor steering assembly being configured to steer anoutboard motor boat facilitating a user to face forwardly whilesteering, said outboard motor steering assembly comprising: a controlstick being movably mounted in a boat, said control stick extendingforwardly from a seat in the boat wherein said control stick isconfigured to be accessible to a driver of the boat, said control stickbeing positionable in a left position, a right position or a centerposition, said control stick comprising: a pair of bearings, each ofsaid bearings being coupled to a bottom surface of the seat in the boat,said bearings being aligned with each other and being distributed alonga line extending between a front side of the seat and a back side of theseat; a first rod having a first end and a second end, said first rodextending through each of said bearings such that said first rod isrotatable about an axis extending through said first end and said secondend; a lock having a first portion being hingedly coupled to a secondportion, said first portion being coupled to said first end of saidfirst rod wherein said lock is configured to be accessible to the driverof the boat when the driver sits in the seat, said lock beingpositionable in a closed position having said first portion abuttingsaid second portion, said lock being positionable in an open positionhaving said second portion angled to extend downwardly from said firstportion; a second rod having a primary end and a secondary end, saidsecondary end being coupled to said second portion of said lock, saidsecond rod having a bend being positioned closer to said secondary endthan said primary end to define a first section of said second rod and asecond section of said second rod, said first section being directedupwardly when said lock is in said closed position wherein said firstsection is configured to be gripped by the driver when the driver sitsin the seat, said first rod being rotated about said axis when saidfirst section is tilted to the left or to the right, said first sectionlying on a floor of the boat when said lock is positioned in said openposition wherein said first section is configured to not inhibitmovement of the driver when the driver sits in the seat; a grip beingcoupled to said second rod, said grip being positioned adjacent to saidprimary end of said second rod wherein said grip is configured to begripped by the driver; and a third rod having a lower end and an upperend, said lower end being coupled to said first rod at a point beingpositioned adjacent to said second end of said first rod, said third rodbeing oriented to extend along a line being oriented perpendicular tosaid axis of said first rod having said third rod extending upwardlybehind the seat; and a coupling being coupled to said third rod, saidcoupling being positioned adjacent to said upper end of said third rod;a plurality of pulleys, each of said pulleys being rotatably coupled tothe boat, each of said pulleys being positioned on a gunnel of the boat,each of said pulleys being positioned between the seat and an outboardmotor on the boat, said plurality of pulleys including a set of firstpulleys and a set of second pulleys, each of said first pulleys beingpositioned on the port side of the gunnel, each of said second pulleysbeing positioned on the starboard side of the gunnel; and a pair ofcables, each of said cables being coupled between said control stick andan outboard motor, each of said cables urging the outboard motor to turnright when said control stick is positioned in a left position forsteering the boat to a port side, each of said cables urging theoutboard motor to turn left when said control stick is positioned in aright position for steering the boat to a starboard side, said pair ofcables including a first cable and a second cable, said first cablebeing coupled between said coupling on said third rod and a left side ofthe outboard motor, said first cable being routed through each of saidfirst pulleys, said second cable being coupled between said coupling onsaid third rod and a right side of the outboard motor, said second cablebeing routed through each of said second pulleys.